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Tfr o ■

■5 Himinj

Affordable Quality for the Timex Computer User

MARCH

TIMEX Takes A Licking

Keeps Ticking

But SINCLAIR

BANK SWITCHING FOR THE TS 1000 Part 1

Expand To 96K

PROGRAMMING

ERROR RECOVERY
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
SIMPSON'S RULE

- by Paul Hunter

REVIEWS

Games for the TS 2068

CONVERTING TO T/S BASIC

I BULK RATE I
Portsmouth I US POSTAGE I

Ohio I PAID I

45662 I PERMIT#1 51 I

I _ I

Extend your ZX81/TS1000/TS1500.
Add Memory that won ’t Forget!

s BUILD UP A LIBRARY OF MACHINE
LANGUAGE SUBROUTINES

✓ UP TO 8K NONVOLATILE RAM

DESCRIBED IN R«MSI@
JULY/AUGUST1983 EICCtfMiCS

^ ADD YOUR OWN SYSTEM UTILITIES

plus $1 95 shipping ana handling

^ USE HM6116LP CMOS RAM
OR 2716/2732 EPROM

^ COMPATIBLE WITH
16K RAM PACKS

► READ THE REVIEWS:

What a super product!... conceived and executed very nicely... and with quality components

(SYNTAX QUARTERLY Winter 82)

8K Nonvolatile memory is a gem! It has so many possible uses...! recommend this board most heartily.

(OKLAHOMA S.U.G. Newsletter 1/3)

We found the documentation to be far superior to that (of) most hardware we’ve received

(S.U.N. Newsletter Nov/Dec 82)

For versatility this is even better than an EPROM . . ranks quite high on the list of “must-haves” .

(SYNC Magazine Mar/ Apr 83)

Provides the user with instant software . an extremely versatile memory extension . . .

(Z-WEST June 83)

INTRODUCTION

This memory board is designed to fill the transparent 8K block
of memory (from 8K to 16K) m a ZX81 -16K system This area of
memory is an ideal place to store, either permanently or tem¬
porarily, machine language routines or data which are to be
used by the BASIC system

Sample utilities are included with the kit

The use of HM61 16LP 2K CMOS RAM memory 1C s with their
own reserve power supply means that routines stored in the
RAM are nonvolatile — the RAM retains its memory even
when the ZX81 is switched off or reset Moreover, being RAM,
the routines you store in the memory are easily modified The
lithium cell supplied with the board will maintain sufficient
reserve power for almost ten years

ASSEMBLY

Complete step-by-step instructions m a 20 page manual
make assembly of the board easy The kit (pictured above) is
complete with a siikscreened solder masked printed circuit
board all capacitors, resistors, transistors, sockets, connec¬
tors integrated circuits, and the lithium cell The board is sup¬
plied with one 2K CMOS 61 16LP-3 RAM - it will accomodate
three more for a total of 8K

Complete kit with one 2K 61 16LP -3 $32.95

Additional three 6116LP 3 $18.00

Bare pc board & manual $13.05

Kit for EPROM use only $22.95

Assembled & tested with 2K $47.95

Assembled & tested with 8K $65.95

Shipping & handling per order $ 1 .95

Send check or money order to the address below

HUNTER, 1630 FOREST HILLS DRIVE, OKEMOS, Ml 48864

T-5 Harkins

Affordable Quality for the Timex Computer User
2002 SUMMIT ST. PORTSMOUTH. OHIO 45662

Table of Contents

NEWs Analysis
Reader INPUT
Hardware Hints
by Paul Hunter
Numerical Analysis
by Ken Lewis
Bank Switching
by Paul Hunter
Error Recovery

by Bill Johnson
Reviews

Converting to T/S BASIC
BASIC Handbook
DK'Tronics 16K Memory Board
Games tor the TS 2068
Kids' Page
TS NEWs

FORMAT
Full page
2/3 page
5 1/2 page

10 1/3 page

10 1/4 page

1/6 page
12 1/9 page

2 inch
15 1 inch

18 CLOSING DATES: 15th of month pre-

19 ceeding issue date.

21 FREQUENCY: Monthly.

22 CIRCULATION: 4000.

SIZE*

6-1/4 x 9

$125

$119

4-1/2 x 9

100

6-1/4 x 4-1/2

3x9

4-1/2 x 4-1/2

2x9

3 x 4-1/2

2 x 4-1/2

2x3

2x2

1 x 2

for ad reduction,
tack and white only.

Ads

oduced from an

ad in

an-

cation.

Th*r«'s something NEW on the hori

2 on e

QUALITY, UTILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AFFORDABILITY.
This the combination you've been waiting for.
Don't miss an issue. Subsribe NOW!

$20.00 other fore

Name ___
Address
Cit/_

Hai 1 form with check or aoney order to:
T-S Horizons
Subscription Ocpt*

2002 Sunni t St .

Portsmouth, OH 45552

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

Dear Readers;

As you may know by now , Timex is no longer in the computer business.
Apparently, they were afraid of taking a "licking" in the home
computer market this year (for more details see NEW s analysis). I
suppose many of you are wondering what this will mean for the future
of T-S Horizons.

Actually, we are fairly confident of the future of TS Horizons and
Sinclair computing in general. Sinclair Research which, of course,
markets the Sinclair computers that the Timex computers are derived
from, is going strong and actively developing new prodducts. We
expect them to take up the reins dropped by Timex and actively market
their computer products in the U.S.

Our circulation has grown slowly but steadily as more and more people
are becoming aware of TS Horisons, and as we grow, we are able to
provide you with more useful information.

So if you're happy with your computer, whether of the ZX or TS
variety, there is no reason you should let the demise of the Timex
Computer Corporation affect your enjoyment of Timex (or Sinclair,
whichever) computing or of TS Horizons.

Sincerely ,

■&&.0

Rick Duncan

WHIZ THROUGH THIS YEAR’S INCOME TAXES

() 1983 FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROGRAMS: Three 16K programs in this Menu-driven

package support the Sinclair ZX81/TS1000 or TS1300 computers, and can produce
instant hardcopy printouts of all results using an optional Timex 2040 printer.

Contained are Forms 1040, 2441, and Schedules A, B, G, W. Mathematical compu¬
tations are calculated by your computer. Quickly loaded from cassette tape.

Instructions are included. Works for every filing status. $11.93*

() SPEED READING: Four integrated programs, this master course was designed by a 2,000

words-per-minute speed reading record holder. Helps improve reading skills, speed &
efficiency. Auto-tests to gauge your progress. $14.95*

OCHECKS & BALANCES $8.95* ()2-PR0G. AD PACKAGE $25.95* OSCRAMBLE $11.95*

OSTARSHIP INVASION $11.95* () ATTACK FORCE $11.95* ( )MAZE $11.95*

OC0MPUTER STORIES: V0LS 1,2, or 3 (specify). For the TS1000 ($11.95*) or TS2068 ($14.95*).

NOTE: * Shipping & Handling is $1.50 per order. New York State residents please add sales tax.
COMPUTER-WEAR SOFTWARE P.0. Box 1059, Dept. 2, Riverdale, N.Y. 10471

As the mil street Journal put it in a
February 23 headline, "Timex,
Anticipating Market Upheavals,
Discontinues Sale of Home Computers" .
While market trends rray have been an
important factor in Timex's decision,
the report missed some other
considerations that may have been more
immediate reasons for Timex's with¬
drawal. The Journal report calls Timex
"a victim of the price war it helped
launch . "

Seme of us forget that Timex is (was)
not just a computer company. The watch
and clock business is the mainstay of
Timex and the company has had great
difficulty in recent years in that area
due to fierce foreign competition.

Timex began making inexpensive and
durable watches in the 1950' s. The
company soon became the world ' s largest
watch maker and by the late 1960's,
Timex had more than 50% of the U.S.
watch market, and 20 of the world
market, with the remainder being
supplied by analler American companies
and Swiss and other European companies.
This made Timex a target for foreign
competition.

In the late 1970' s, the Japanese became
a powerful , eventually, dominant force
in the watch business and introduced a
flood of cheaper watches in the U.S.
and around the world. with cheaper
labor and electronic technology,
Japanese watch [takers easily undercut
Timex and its bulky, mechanical watch
technology.

Recently though, Hong Kong watch makers
have entered the market with even lower
labor costs than Japan and have forced
many Japanese companies out of
business. The situation has led to a

major glut of watches of all price
ranges. in 1983, Hong Kong alone
produced nearly 300 million watches,
WThich estimated to egual the entire
annual world demand.

Timex has had to make major adjustments
to survive corporately. All of its
watch-making has been moved to Asian
plants. Thousands of American workers
have been terminated. Timex recently
sold its gyroscope business to Bendix
Corporation for $15 million. In
January , 1984, it sold its headquarters
building in Middlebury, CT, then leased
back a portion of it. Seme industry
analysts have predicted that the
ccmpany has little chance for survival.

Timex began assembling Sinclair
computers in 1980. m an effort to
diversify, they made an agreement with
Sinclair to market the Timex-Sinclair
line of computer in North America.
Timex had also been developing a line
of health care products (Health Chex) -
digital blood pressure and pulse
gauges, thermometers , and bathroom
scales. In this area, it is said they
have been somewhat successful.

Timex introduced the TS 1000 in
September 1982 and sold more than a
half million at about $99.95 each in
the fourth quarter. In 1983, they sold
1.2 million computers for the whole
year (which includes the TS 1500 and TS
2068, but mostly the TS 1000) but the
price for the TS 1000 had dropped as
low as $29.95, due to strong
competition from Texas Instruments,
Oormodore, and Radio Shack who lowered
prices on their home computers.

Tb aggravate the situation, Timex was
notoriously slow at introducing new

products. Even the TS 2068, which has
recently been receiving excellent
reviews, was not widely available to
computer shoppers by Christmas 1983,
although it was supposed to be on sale
by mid 1983. Timex had difficulty in
recruiting mass merchandisers to market
the new computer.

In 1983, Timex lost 100 million
dollars, with revenues of $400 million.
A Business Week article ( February 20,
from which many of the above figures
were taken) states that "The company's
strategy is to rebuild its watch market
and make itself less-vulnerable by
broadening its base with heme health
care products and home computers" .
However, it appears that Mike Jacobi,
the new Vice-President of fterketing at
Timex, vas mostly concerned about the
watchmaking business. Refering to the
company's watches, Businessweek quotes
him, "We were thick, fat, ugly, over
priced, and behind in technology."
Upon taking charge at Timex, he
inmediately combined the three sales
divisions - timepieces, computers, and
health products into one - and Ban
Ross, former Vice-President of
Operations for Timex Computer
Corporation resigned.

Qi February 21, Jacobi announced Timex
was out of the computer business. His
analysis was that the home computer
"industry is on a kanaka ze path," to
market upheavals and price wars, and
his prognosis of the market for 1984 is
poor. (He seems to follow Wall
Street's "concensus" that IBM will be
the only computer company by 1990) . He
also stressed that the "prized
relationship*1 between Timex and its
retailers had to be protected from
g instability .

Timex did decide not to abandon its
fledgeling heme health care products,
however, presumably because there is
less competition in that field, and due
to its established network of drug and
discount store outlets, which would
provide an excellent market for such
products.

Sinclair's decision not to market its
new 32-bit business-oriented computer,
the QL, through Timex, was taken as a
reflection on Timex's poor performance
with other Sinclair related products.
Par haps, Sinclair had gotten wind of
Timex's decision to drop computers,
even before the announcement .

Jacobi has premised that Timex will
honor all service under warranty and
provide after-warranty service. The
Timex hot line ( 1-80O-24-TIMEX ) will be
maintained as long as they receive
sufficient calls to justify keeping it
up. Jacobi has said that Timex will
reduce its prices (possibly to under
$100 for the TS 2068) they won't just
dump the inventory at "fire-sale"
prices.

Although comparisons of Timex with
Texas Instruments are inevitable, I
don't believe Timex users should
despair that there will be a drying up
of software and peripherals for the TS
1000 or the 2068.

Don't forget that Sinclair was around
in England long before (relatively)
anyone heard of the TS 1000. Sinclair
is still actively marketing the ZX-81
and Spectrum computers around the
world. With the withdrawal of Timex,
there is nothing to step Sinclair frcm
marketing computers in the U.S. There
is also a vast third-party industry of
software and peripherals makers for
Timex and Sinclair computers . Perhaps
the worst effect is that the future of
the TS 2068 is uncertain. While the
2068 is a definite imporvement over the

Sinclair Spectrum, Sinclair nay not be
able to or may not have the desire to
obtain the rights to the 2068 frcm
Timex.

The TI 99-4A was a computer with a lot
of inherent limitations, very little
third-party support, not much software,
and a very low performance-to-price-
ratio. Yet there are still runors that
companies are negotiating for the
rights to the 99-4A, and Atari and
others are making software for the
computer. With all the advantages of
the TS 2068, a new company may seek
rights to Timex/Sinclair Technology.

The final analysis, what have we
lost-if Sinclair or another company
actively market ZX-81 and Spectrum-type
computers and peripherals in the U.S.

1) The Timex hot line.

2) Timex Ramblinqs newsletter (no
great loss from what I've seen).

3) The apparently ineffective
marketing and long
development times of the
people at Timex.

4) And perhaps most
sustantially, Timex and
Sinclair users in Arerica,
as a whale, stand to lose
sore anrcxnt of respect from
other ocnputer users.

Ive already had friends who
have said to me, "See, I told
you Timex would never make
it," and "You ought to charge
the name of yxr itagazine to
TRS-aCHramre." Sate people
can only respect big names
like IBM, Apple, and Radio
Seek.

As far as I'm concerned,
that's not much of a loss.

25% OFF

THE BOOK THAT MAKES
YOUR COMPUTER AS
SIMPLE AS IT WAS
MEANT TO BE

Programming Your
Timex/Sinclair 1000 in BASIC
by Mario Elsenbacher

An easy-to-digest format leads you
through hands-on examples of pro¬
grams in early chapters, then helps
you develop skills you need to grasp
and execute more complex pro¬
grams. At each new level of under¬
standing you get a vocabulary with
definitions; a short, fancy program to
run; practice programs; exercise
problems with answers; examples of
errors along with explanations of how
to prevent and solve them; and a sum¬
mary of what you've learned.

Prentice-Hall

Dear Rick,

Thank you for your letter and the issue #2 of
T-S Horizons. You were correct in assuming my
reservations (about 7-S Horizons) had to do with
Tracy Norris and it came as no surprise that his
much heralded disk drive did not materalize.

Tracy reviewed my board and kit in his Users'
Group magazine and gave it a really excellent
rating so I've no complaints on that score. He
used to call me collect and ask me questions, which
made me wonder. His first article in T-S Horizons
disappointed me quite a lot since it was a direct
copy of an earlier one published in SYNC magazine
by George Ingle (Sept/Oct '82) -- even the
component values are identical. I enclose a copy.
There is obviously nothing wrong with including a
repeat-key modification in T-S Horizons since it is
a useful feature but 1 should like to see some
acknowledgement of the original.

Sincerely, Paul Hunter, Okemos, Ml

Thank you for bringing this matter to our
attention, Paul. Of course T-S Horizons neer
intended to copy Hr. Ingle's work, and we had no
knowledge of the previous article. A personal
apology is being sent to him.

Hr. Norris has not responded to several
letters sent to him by us, and has refused to talk
with us when we have reached him by phone. T-S
Horizons is no longer associated with Tracy Norris,
and we do not endorse Hr. Norris, Norris Radio and
Electronics, or T-Tech Industries. Ue deeply regret
having publicized a product which we now feel will
never become available. Hr. Norris no longer lives
at the address published in TSHI1, but he is
currently living and working in Slidell, IA.

Dear T-S Horizons:

I am greatly impressed with your small
3 magazine. As my subscrition to Computers and

Electronics ran out, I was snowbound by
subscription offers. Your magazine wasn't a major
name or as big as most of the rest but from your
first two issues, 1 realize that it was the one
that hit closest to home. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely yours, John Mayer, Whitehouse IX
Dear Rick:

Just a quick note here to say good luck on
your T-S Horizons effort. Your premier issue looks
good enough for me to say "here's my subscription.”
1 particularly enjoyed K. D. Lewis' simultaneous
solutions article.

3 would encourage you to provide information
for the advanced users as well as the beginners.
Too many Times related publications are cluttered
with games and nothing else. I have many Memo tech
peripherals for my computer and 3 enjoyed your
review of the 8P500A printer and interface which 3
am considering purchasing, so that 1 can dash off
letters i ike this1

About two months ago 3 founded a user group in
the Salt Lake City area and will circulate your
publication among our group.

Larry Scan! an, 2738 E. 9725 South, Sandy UT 84092

Good day,

As an owner of a 36K Timex/Sinclair 1000, i
would like to extend my gratitude to you for
publishing T-S Horizons. It is undoubtedly the
best publication for TS10Q0 owners 3 have seen yet.

Friendly suggestion: The format of your
magazine is commendable but the finished product is
slightly less than polished. The cover and center
page of No. 3 were fine; however, the rest of your
book tends to disintegrate and become unreadable
due to the poorer quality paper used. It would be
much more asthet i cal 1 y pleasing if it were of a
uniform qual ity.

Thank you for your time and keep up the good

work .

Sincerely, Robert Farley, Jackson, OH

The quality of paper in each issue of T-S Horizons
is deternined by the anount of advertising and
subscription incane. And we haven't been
overwhelmed by either. However we are always trying
to improve the quality and format of the magazine,
and in the near future we think you'll see some
changes.

Gentlemen:

Just received seme newsletter this month as
you sent last month. What's going on1 First the
disk drive then this! You'd better get your act
together*

Peter Call i n i cos, President, Timex Sinclair Users
Group, Mile High Chapter, 12026 U. 'Virginia Place,
Lakewood, CO 80228

Peter, I can understand your confusion, with issue
>3 being late and getting two copies of issue 12.
We have been mailing sample copies to names on
mailing lists we have obtained from various sources
and there may have been some overlap with our
subscription list.

Ue really appreciate all the readers who have taken
the time to write us. It is an intense help to know
what you like and dislike about T-S Horizons and
what you want ot see in future issues. Ue try to
respond personally to any letters that ask for a
response. Please send a stamped, self addressed
envelope.

Thest schematics for the edge connectors on the TS

2048 were submitted by Paul Hunter. They are not the tcc dock connector

included

in the

2048

manual. Figure 1 is for the

main edge

connector (rear of machine) and Figure 2

is for the Command Cartridge port.

Buffered

A14

+5V •

A12

A13

Buffered

THE MAIN

EDGE CONNECTOR

EAR

TAPE OUT

DAISY IN

2 ■

DAISY OUT

+ 15

A7R Buffered Refresh

A15

Buffered

address bit 7

MREQ

Buffered

PINS 4 through 26

same a

s ZX81/TS 1000

Buffered

lORQ

A7R

Buffered Refresh

exceDt that RAMCS

'pin 5A

and ROMCS '

Buffered

address Bit 7

Din 26B are NC (not connected). In

Buffered

addition ,

, +9V is

no longer available

at pin 5B.

A10

RGB red

27 !

EX ROM Enable for extension ROM

All

RGB green

ROSCS Enable for external ROM

rfsFF

Buffered

RGB blue

— oriented software

Bank enable BE

EXROM

Enable for

GND

External

ROSCS

GND

extension RON

video

ROM firmware

composite

sound

select

GND

BOTTOM

TOP

(component side)

BOTTOM TOP (component side)

Figure 1 Figure 2

N UHERZCRi- RNPLYSlS

SIMPSON'S RULE
by Ken. Lewis

Frequently, it is desirable to deter¬
mine the integral of a continuous func¬
tion f(x) over some interval a£x±b.
A simple and accurate method of doing
this is to use Simpson's Rule, named
after the Englishman Thomas Simpson
(1710-1761). The procedure assumes
a partitioning which divides interval
[a,b] into n subintervals of equal
length h=(b-a)/n, where n must be an
even number. Effectively, three cons ec
tive points, for exanple (Xo, f(Xo)),
(Xi, f(Xx)), (X2, f(X2)) are fit to

a parabola whose equation in
case can be shown to be:

f(xi)-f (Xq)

p(x)=f(Xo) +

(X-Xq)

this

f(x0)-2f(x1) +f(x2)
2h2

(x-xQ) (x-x1).

Since p(x) is only a second degree
polynomial, we can find (X2 P(x)dx.

This will evaluate to P(x)dx = —

[f(x0)+4f(x1)+f(x2)]./Ihis later expres¬
sion approximates the area under the
graph of f on the interval [xq,X2] • The

same is done for the subintervals

tx2» x4L [*4. . [xn_2» xn].

Each of these indices must be even,
which makes it necessary for n to be
even- The sum of the areas under the
parabolas thus obtained serves as an
approximation to

(b b-a

a) f (x)dx= —

+4f(x3)+ 2f(xn_2) + 4f(xn_!) +f(xn)].

This is the famous Simpson's Rule.
THE PROGRAM

The program must be changed ( statement
310, right hand side) to incorporate
the function you want to integrate.
This should be altered so that the
right hand side of the equation is
the integrand of your problem.

Qice this is * done, then put, the
program in the "RUN" mode. Only
two additional pieces of information
are required at this point, i.e.,
the limits of integration. Input
first the lower limit, then the upper
limit of integration . The program
will lease iterating when two succes¬
sive conputations of the integral
do not differ by more than .00001
( This can be changed to whatever
tolerance you desire (line 230)).

EXAMPLE;

Suppose we desire to determine the
integral l5'6**. ^ first ^

3*5

is to make sure that the integrand
(x) is placed on the right hand side
of the equation in statement 310
of the program. Then the "RUN" made
is entered. A prorrpt for the lower
limit of the integral is given “IN¬
POT LCWER LIMIT", and the value 3.5
is entered. Similarly, the upper
limit is prompted, and the value
5.6 is input. The answer is printed
out, as shown, and is 44.247.

ZX PRO/FILE

A machine language information storage
and retrieval tool for 16-64K.

* Multi-word search capability

* Instant file access

* Ordered displays

* Definable printer functions

* Totally flexible file size

* 59 page tutorial manual

* Newsletter updates

THE MOST ADVANCED
FILE MANAGER YOU CAN
GET FOR THE TIMEX

Ask for free specifications or send $16.95
for cassette and manual to:

THOMAS B. WOODS

P.O. Box 64, Jefferson, NH 03583
Phone: (603) 586-7734

Visa, Mastercard welcome

BANK SWITCHING FOR THE TS 1000-Part 1

by Paul Hunter

A canon complaint heard about snail computers
like the ZX81 or V1C20 is that their nenory is too
linited and that the computers are therefore
unsuitable tor serious applications. As a result,
some ot the most popular peripherals have been
16K, 32K, and 64K RAM packs. The problem is
particularly acute with the ZX81/TS1000 because
the active 8AS1C program area is linited to the
region between UK and 48K. Even then care nust be
taken to avoid having the display tile bridge the
32K boundary.

There are two cases in which more nenory is
desirable. The tirst is encountered when large
amounts ot data need to be manipulated. It does
not take a very long address list, test tile, or
stock inventory to till up all the available
nenory in a Z80-64K system. The common solution is
to provide a secondary memory capability such as a
disc drive or at worst a cassette tape recorder.
Fast load utilities like SDS or ZXLR8 aid in
manipulating data tiles to and tron cassette tape.
The AERCO DOS (disc operation system) does the
sane sort ot thing tor data tiles on disc.

The second case occurs when the program itselt is
too long. In this case the program needs to be
segmented in an intelligent way. A similar
situation arises when two or more programs are
used to operate on the sane set ot data.

Larger computers, with newer microprocessors like
the 6800 or 80186 and with 256K dynamic RAM chips
like the 41256 can directly address much more than
64K. Smaller Z80 computers use bank-switching.
This way the TS2068, tor example, can address up
to 16 Mbytes (although how is not clear -- its not
in the manual!). Incidentally, the new SINCLAIR QL
uses both a 68008 and a 804? with 128K RAM 32K
ROM, and two 100K microdrives (tor 449?).

This article is part 1 ot some experimants in
memory management tor the ZX81/1S1000/TS1500. Both
sottware and hardware will be discussed and any
suggestions as we go along will be welcome.

In this install ment we will look at an overall
scheme and then examine some ot the sottware
12 required. In part 2 hardware will be discussed.

These articles are intended primarily tor the
experimenter but should enable a TS1000 user to
put together quite a sophisticated bank-iwitched
system at a reasonable price.

The ZX81/TS1Q0Q memory map is shown in Figure 1
tor reterence. The three main areas in-and-out ot
which we might like to transter data are:

LIMITS

PROGRAM

16509

D-tile

DISPLAY FILE

D-tile

VARS

VARIABLES

MRS

E-line - 1

RAMTOP

ERR_SP

stack pointer

STKEND

STKBOT

E_line

VARS

D_file

16509

16384

8192

GOSUB Stack

Machine Stack

SPARE

Calculator Stack

Work Space

80hex

VARIABLES

DISPLAY FILE

BASIC PROGRAM

System Variables

Transparent Block

System ROM

FIGURE 1

VARIABLES

DISPLAY

PROGRAM

NVM or

EPROM

SYSTEM ROM

Memory

manager

Figure 2

16K RAM

In the system to be described the primary memory
will be addressed -form OK to 48K. The secondary
memory will be addressed from 48K to 64K. This
location is a logical choice because it cannot be
used tor BASIC programs directly.

The secondary memory will be 48K divided into
three 14K blocks although the number ot these
blocks can be expanded later. Ot these three
blocks two will be ordinary dynamic RAM but the
third will be nonvolatile static CMOS RAM. It is
this later block which is potentially the most
usetul although all ot the secondary memory could
be normal volatile RAM it desired.

Thus the total system will comprize 8K ROM, 8K
EPROM or W RAM tor operating routines kand
utilities, 32K BASIC* primary memory, 16K
nonvolatile secondary memory, and 32K secondary
RAM -- a total ot 98K. This system is illustrated
in Figure 2.

Note that programs are only stored in the
secondary memory. To be run they must tirst be
transterred to the primary memory. The system
routines required to accomplish these transters
are essentially:

RECLAIM

primary memory (dear designated

block ot memory)

LOAD

into primary memory (includes merge)

PURGE

secondary memory (remove unwanted

data or programs)

SAVE

into secondary memory

Most ot these operations apply to all three areas
PROGRAM, DISPLAY, and VARIABLES.

There are some other routines such as search tor
and locate a tile, list the directory, switch
memory banks, and others which will be needed.
First, let's look at some examples.

Suppose a portion ot the primary RAM needs to be
cleared to make room tor another program or
subroutine which is to be loaded trom the
secondary memory. What's the procedure?
Fortunately there are several routines in the
system ROM which make the task easy. The tirst
we'll experiment with is called LINE-ADDR. It
tinds the starting location ot any line in a BASIC
program.

TRY THIS EXAMPLE :

Load the machine language into the REM statement:

Now enter as a direct command RAND USR 16514. The
BASIC program from Line 20 to the end has been
erased but the REM statement containing the
machine code is still there. Try it with another
BASIC program and try a different line number (use
LINE-ADDR to find the location — i.e. combine the
two routines together).

Now run the BASIC program. When prompted (1 ine
20), enter a line number such as 10. The result
16509 will immediately appear. Try some other line
numbers.

A third system routine we will make a lot of use
of is called MAKE-ROOM and is located at 2462
decimal. Its funcion is to generate BC spaces at
location HL. The fourth routine is not in the
system ROM so it has to be written. We'll call it
simply HOME and its function is to move a program,
display file, or variables into or out of the
primary memory area. It's convient to divide the
routine into two for the two tasks -- we'll call
one MfWIN (into primary) and the other MOMOI/T
(into secondary from primary).

We'll continue next month.

This routine allows us to specify lines in a BASIC
program to be deleted or moved. Now let's look at
another system routine called RECLAIM (there are
two entry points 1 and 2). As its name suggest,
this routine reclaims space in the memory.

TRY THIS EXAMPLE:

Enter any BASIC program such as:

Now enter the machine code into the REM statement.

twoof

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ERROR RECOVERY

by Bill Johnson

The phrase “Error Recovery" refers to features,
within a computer program, that allow the user the
ability to easily change specific data items that
have been errantly keyed in without re-entering
all of the data. It is a programming concept that
is often ignored, especially when we've been
raised on the squeeze-everything-into-2K
mentality. But, assuming we learn efficient
programming techniques from using limited RAM, we
need to use the memory that we do have to make our
programs accessible and usable. An Error Reovery
(E.R.) is one of the most effective (after
coherent inpdt/display techniques) methods of
achieving the goal of software usability. If an
end user knows that what he has keyed- in can
always be re-entered or altered, this gives them a
greater degree of psychological and actual control
over the software.

There are 2 primary components of efficient E.R.:

1. That it be accessible at the appropriate times.
The user must be able to use it when he is most
likely to need it. After program exection is not
an appropriate place for E.R. It would serve a
function, but not the intended one.

entering the 2nd piece of data will move the
program back to the initial entry. If this
technique was used with a long series of data
entrys, you could actually step back through all
the data.

If the second entry is null (no data), line 8045
sends the program back a step to 8005 which blanks
out the second data inquiry as it returns to the
first.

This type of E.R., though, is limited in scope. It
serves a useful purpose for a very specific type
of error, but as the only E.R. it can be awkward.
Its exclusive use would force the user to check
his/her overall data after each entry, even if it
is entered correctly. This much mental jumping
around is annoying and defeats the purpose of the
E.R. feature: to facilitate use of your software.

2. That it require few, if any, additional
keystrokes either to access this feature, or
bypass it. If it interrups or substantually slows
the data entry process, it becomes
counterproductive. Ideally, if it is desirable to
notice the E.R., ft would require a single
keystroke to bypass, and if it is desirable to
have the E.R. go unnoticed, it would require a
single keystroke to access the feature.

The simplest form of E.R. (we'll look at a more
difficult one later) would allow changes to each
entry only imediatly after they were keyed-in.
This would be helpful for errors made by too-quick
hands that are recognized immediatly. In the
following short example the two pieces of data can
be entered normally, but if the 1st is entered
incorrectly, hitting the return (enter) without

The most natural time to check data for
inconsistencies is when the program data (or a
subset of the data) has been imput into the
computer and is displayed on the screen. At this
point the mental tendency is to scan the
information for errors. If all of that information
is easily accessible, the control that has been
gained is enormous. It allows the data entry
process to be quick and efficient, with access to
all of the information for review and correction.

Access to all screen information presupposes an
organized input/display format, because if there
is no structure to the way the data are

stored/displayed, the programing becomes
hopelessly inefficient. In the December '83 issue
of TS Horizons I presented this idea of a
structured display under the name Matrix/Cursor 15

Input. Now f at the risk of losing those of you
who have not read that article, I'd like to dredge
up the programming example that I used and expand
it to include a comprehensive E.R. capability.

The data in that example is input by columns, with
a set of seven data items filling up the column
before moving to the second column. When the last
item is entered into the data set, the question
“ERR?" is printed 2 lines below in order to prompt
the user to review for errors. If there are none,
hitting the "N" key only (no return) will continue
the program. But the "Y* key will place a cursor
adjacent (on the left) to the data item at the top
of the column. You may then step down the rows of
data with the “RETURN" key, entering data only
where the mistake was made. The "ERR" will
continue to appear after each data correction
until you leave that mode with the "N" key.

The first half of the following listing (lines
4000-4195) is from my article MATRIX/CURSOR INPUT
which carries a detailed explanation of that
section. You can obtain a copy (Dec. '83) by
sending the cover price to TS Horizons. The E.R.
is nested inside the second (outer) loop (lines
4200-4275), and comes into play at the bottom of
each column of the seven-row, four-column matrix.

VARIABLES

1(4,7) - array that stores all glass data.

Y - print position variable that indicates
column

X - print position variable that indicates
row

NO - number of glass areas
N - loop variable, indicating which column is
operating.

B$ - Alphanumeric variable to read-in
single-key entrys.

As an even more complex alternative, you could
write an E.R. feature that accesses the whole
matrix at the end. The important point to emember
is that you're trying to make the software easy to
access, so the E.R. has to be located where it is
needed. Location, Location, Location as they say
in real estate. This can get us beyoud just
elegant programming, into software that's
elegantly easy to use.

book review

By Rick Duncan
Converting to Timex

Sinclair Basic
by Stuart Bird
Wayne Green Books
Peterborough, NH 03485

This book is a guide to "Translating"
BASIC programs written for other
microcomputers to Sinclair BASIC. The
format of "Converting" is said to be
"dictionary" style. Hundreds of BASIC
commands are cataloged in various
chapters, e.g. String Functions,
Numeric Fuctions, loops. Direct Memory
Address, Graphics, Matrix Statements,
etc... Bach contains a dozen or so
entries. Thus for each BASIC word in
the program you wish to convert, the
word is located in the index and the
reader if refered to the page where the
entry is found.

Each entry is formatted as follows:

1. A heading, which contains the BASIC
word plus any synonyms.

2. A brief description of the use and
operation of the word in its cwn
version of BASIC.

3. The TS 1000 replacement, i.e., an
expression, program line, or more
often, a short subroutine, in a
generalized form, which exactly or
nearly duplicates the action of the
non-Sinclair word.

4. Discussion of application. The
discussion is generally quite
thorough and considers various
cases where the replacement may (or
may not) work, where modifications

are required and other factors.
This section includes a specific
example of the use of the
replacement.

Reading through the bewildering array
of functions and commands from the
various BASIC dialects makes one
appreciate the Sinclair system of a
strictly limited number of keywords,
easily found on the Sinclair keyboard.
Its relatively snail vocabulary is not
necessarily a drawback, as Mr. Bird
points out, given the power and
versatility of Sinclair BASIC. In the
STRING FUNCTION chapter, he states:
"(The) Sinclair BASIC
string slicer is easily
the most powerful and
convenient string

manipulation scheme
available . . .While the
Timex/Sinclair 1000 string
slicer gobbles up
expression such as
X*2+3+sinX-VAL Q$ like
PAC-MAN. . . most BASICS
only spit these string
function arguments back
with error codes...

While the book does cover a large
number of cotrmon BASIC commands, it
isnot exhaustive. Ebr instance, some
common commands, like HOME (from
Applesoft, Cbmmodore, and others) are
not included.

My favorite replacement is for DEF-FN
in which the function is entered into
the program as a string and the VAL
command extracts the function value, by
a short subroutine.

BOOK REVIEW

The book's oover promotes "Converting"
as the "answer to your software
shortage," which puts "an almost
endless supply of programs... at your
fingertips". However, if you're
expecting to use the book to chum out
hundreds of programs by mechanical
substitution of BASIC instructions into
programs from back issues of COMPUTE!
and BYTE,. I think you'll be
disappointed. There are some inherent
difficulties in translating programs.

1. Extensive use of PEEK and POKE.

2. CALL and USR.

Such programs require memory maps
and thorough knowledge of both
computers. In some cases,
conversion may be impractical in
terms of time and energy.

3. Graphics - The lew resolution of
the Timex display is an inherent
limitation of program conversion in
some cases. However, Mr. Bird does
provide good replacements for cases
where high resolution is not critical
and also a program to perform Logo-like
functions.

Even when these considerations are not
problems, word-for-word translating
generally does not produce efficient
programs. Every computer and every
BASIC dialect have their particular
strengths and weaknesses. In every
case, the original program needs to be
broken down and carefully studied
before the actual "translation" begins.

At that pxoint, "Converting to
Timex/Sinclair BASIC" becomes quite
useful. The discussions of the
commands helps the programmer to
understand what the original programis
intended to do.

All in all, "Converting to
Timex/Sinclair BASIC" is a valuable
reference book, and an extensive,
though not exhaustive, guide to program
13 conversion.

by Rick EUncan
"The BASIC Handbook
by David Lien
Ccmpu soft Publishing
1050 E. Pioneer Why
El Cajon, CA 92020

TheBASJC

Handbook

Encyclopedia of >he
BASIC Computer Language

David A Lien

As a companion volume to "Converting to
Timex/Sinclair BASIC" , "The BASIC
Handbook" would be useful to many
Timex/Sinclair users. It covers many
BASIC dialects including Apple, TRS-80,
Atari, IBM, DEC, TI, etc... and even
Sinclair (ZX-80). However, the
copyright date is 1981, thus Timex,
Commodore (except PET), and other newer
computers are not covered.

The format is similar to Converting ,
but the order is strictly alphabetic by
BASIC word. The book has a feature
Converting lacks, which is an
introduction with some useful carmen ts
on program conversion. The back of the
book contains short discussions of
several specific computers, plus an
index in which the reader can make
notes on each BASIC carmand as he runs
across it.

HARDWARE REVIEW
by P. Donnelly

HENs DK'TRONICS UK UNCASED MEMORY BOARD
FROM* DK, SUFFERN, WALDEN, EN6LAND (799-22159)
PRICE: $31.95 +S&H (check exchange rale)

1 no sooner got my big keyboard from DK'Tronics
ready to use, than 1 plugged in the 16K uncased
nenory pack. The big advantage of this pack, is
that it fits neatly inside the DK keyboard. The
big disadvantage is that nine doesn't work right,
(nore later)

The board uses the sane 4116-3 chips used in the
Sinclair pack, but does its decoding through a

SOFTWARE REVIEW
by Gordon Young

ITEMS FASTLOAD

FROM: International Publishing and Software.
PRICE: ♦19.95

Getting programs into the computers memory is a
problem we are all too familiar with. It is not a
problem related to just the TS-1000, but most
others load at the same rate. The new TS-2008
however, operates a bit faster so owners of the
1000 may want to speed this process up. The
product 'Q-Save* has been known to work for some,
but I went through 5 units with the same problem
and eventually withdrew from the effort. CAI has a
very nice unit called a stringy floppy that uses
small <matchbook size) cassette wafers and loads
reliabley and quickly (as fast as some disk
systems 1 have known).

Some other alternatives are the software versions
such as the one I would like to share with you.
Acopy of 'FASTLOAD' was provided me and this may
be one you would want to get. It took me 2 tries
to get the volume set correctly, but after that it
loaded fine eaverytime (1 monute 37 seconds). The
documentation included requires an eyepiece for
those with less than 20/20 vision and you have a
dozen or so pages to deal with. For me, this was
more than I cared to deal with since 1 honestly

7400 and two 74LS157,s. The special (+12, -5v)
voltage levels are apparently simulated by using a
741 op-amp and a simple doubler. Since the board
is meant to be used inside the DK keyboard it has
no 'pass through* edge connector as on the various
Hemotech units. The board could be used on the
back of a standard TS/1000, but would have to be
the last peripheral connected. Board construction
appears professional and 'wobblers less than
Sinclair:14K pack.

That big 'disadvantage* is that I can't get the
pack to work with machine language tapes. 1 called
DK'Tronics technical line for advise , but was
told that this is the first (or second) of 20,000

feel that user friendly software should require
little more than loading.

In an hour or so, 1 figured the inductions out
and loaded what is called a monitor porgram,
a program that resides in the memorey for as long
as the computer is on but is not a part of that
currently beging used. You have to’NEW* the
machine afterwards and load your regular program
(and hope that it doesn't use the same part of
memory that the monitor does). Now you must
transfer the program back onto tape in the
■FASTLOAD' form. This is taken care of very fast
and the monitors screen really goes crazy,
indicating that everything is working just fine.

But just how fast is 'FASTLOAD'? One tape I used
normally takes four minutes 18 seconds and with
■FASTLOAD' it loaded in 55 seconds. Not bad. Keep
in mind, the convert all your tapes to the 'FAST
LOAD' format (and I have 48), will take quite a
time. Another thing one should mention here is
that some tapes will use that upper part of memory
and can not be 'FASTLOADED*. If you have 'THE
ORGANIZER', 'VU-UALC* or 'FLIGHT SIMULATOR',
forget it.

Overall, "FASTLOAD* does pretty much what it
claims to do and some small changes can be made to
reduce those 64K loading times. 44K is a lot of
memory for even the modest user and who really
enoys spending 15 minutes for it to get
transferrrd from tape to RAM? 'FASTLOAD' rates an
8 on my ten scale.

units which had this problem. Theoretically, at
least, the fact that the unit works in BASIC means
it should work just as well in Machine Code. DK
suggests I return the unit, along with a sample of
a tape that doesn't run, and they will fix or
replace it. I will do this, but don't look forward
to the expense. One last complaint is about the
lack of a schematic and rather sparse
documentation. Before sending the package back to
England I'll probably have to trace out the
circuits and produce my own schematic in hopes of
diagnosing the problem.

For now, I can't recommend this unit, even though
it has a very attractive price.

BOOK REVIEW
by Tex Faucet te

At the tine of this writing, the reviewer has been
the proud owner of a Tinex Sinclair 2048 for a
period of about two weeks. Quite a bit of travel
and visiting with relatives has left little tine
for studying the T/S User Manual, but has clearly
denonstrated that the 2068 does not show its full
potential on just any old color TV. On a well
adjusted receiver the graphics can be great, and
on a good color non i tor they night well be superb.
Quality of color is often a natter of taste, and
for ny taste sone of the colors leave sonenting to
be desired. I an expecially unhappy with the
yellow, which I see as none of an orange hue. 1
purchased ny 2068 at a discount store for $155.00,
tax included.

Addison-Wesley Publ ishing Co. and sold by Crown
Books for $5.95 plus tax. The book is printed on
soft paper, a plus in ny judgenent as it nay be
read anywhere with no annoying glare fron the
paper.

The book contains sone 30 ganes, ranging fron a
fairly primitive 27 line 'Ship's Attack* to an
adventure gane containing alnost 400 numbered
progran lines. Since the 2068 allows several
statenents per line, this must be quite an
adventure! Between these two exprenes are a wide
variety of ganes that display very veil the
diversity of programing techniques adaptable to
the 2068. Data statenents, for example, are
entered using the ‘BIN’ (binary) function to draw
user-defined graphics directly off of an 8X8
design grid. But beware! Bugs are there!

Like all owners of machines new on the market, I
began to wonder just what 1 was going to run on
it. I found one answer in a CROWN Book Store, and
at a very reasonable price. On with the review!

TATALIZING GAMES FOR THE TIMEX/SINCLAIR2000 SERIES
by Hal Renko/San Edwards is published by

My favorite gane so far is called 'Kentucky
Derby*. Three realistic horses, created with
programmed pixels, vie for the honor of the
winners circle. Odds are posted before each race,
and one nay place wagers fron and initial bankroll
of $100. Ones remaining assets are posted
following the race, and placing a wager that
exceeds your assets yields a warning that you are

FOR VO UR 1000-1500 COMPUTER

-MACHINE CODE FAST
-TAB/ RETURN

-USER DEFINED COLUMN WIDTH
-TEXT COUNTER
-UPPER/ LOWER CASE OPTION
- EDIT & MUCH MORE ! r.

G. Young

4616 N. River Road, § 27
Oceanside, CA 92056

TIMEX COMPUTING FOR KIDS

QuickSilva, 426 W. Nokoraa, San Antonio, TX

78216

ruwtu-uui is a game ot strategy, skill, and
logic. The object is to rescue Bill and Nora
Mudroe(worras), and while doing that try to rescue
Damsels. In order to do that you must avoid
hitting any invisible nines that lie betore you.
On each board there are 2 sate areas in which
there are no nines. Starting at the second screen,
you can rescue Damsels. Atter you complete each
screen or get eaten or blown up, it has an action
replay. You can speed it up by pushing 'S' tor
speed or stop it by pushing ‘E’ tor end. The high
score is displayed by the player's initials. It's
a tun game I like it really well and I think you
will too.

Starting on the third screen addtional mines are
droped but are visible. It's really easier then
in my opinion. Bugs and Worms also chase you. So
beware you have one lite. To give you a goal 1 got
1260 points in one game. Bonus points may be
accumulated.

living beyond your means. Untortunately, the
program contains and incorrect symbol which, until
located and corrected, will result in an ’integer
out ot range’ error. (Clue: the error is NOT in
the line given in the error statement.il burned
a lot ot midnight oil on that one!

’Las Megas a Go Go’ is a colortul slot machine. It
too contains a similar error which I WILL tind,
someday.

’New York, New York* places you in a helicopter,
in control ot numerous trattic signals below. As
cars approach the signals (which are identitied by
keyboard synbols) you nust key the proper symbols
to keep the trattic moving. Once de-bugged this
will be a good way to became tamiliarwith the
2068 keyboard. You are working against time, and a
score is displayed.

On all ot the programs mentioned, use ot the
’PRINT FREE’ command indicates that sutticient
memory remains to ’Polish’ the programs. As an
example, I intend to add the traditional trumpet
tantare to start ray Kentucky Derby in place ot
the existing two ’beeps’, and program in a more
exciting tempo and tone to the existing hoot
beats!

KKLTINORS KEEP (16K)

A realistic adventure involvihg
fighting, bribing, strategy and luck.

Many rooms , levels , weapons ^treasures
and magic items. Dungeon and objects
set up RANDOMLY. Packed with suprises*

On cassette~$6;95.Free catalog with
order. Send cheque or money order to:

MILL RESEARCH 32749 Avalon Gres.

Abbotsford, B.C,,Canada V2T 3W9

lium/tnHnfumjUWi/tttfitmtmftiiiviiiitmmHmtfutitmmitftiiiiiuutiinttft/mmtif/tmt/utfutnnnitHmm/tmm/t/tmuimtfut/tr

ITEM: A new business computer front Sinclair will be (which Tex Faucette rated highly in his review last

available in the U.S. this suimer. It is called month). In it you can find instructions to modify

the QL (for Quantum Leap) and it is intended to the program for use with different printer

compete with computers such as athe IBH-PC, Apple interfaces, how to connect it to the AERCO disk
lie, and similar computers, but its sells for a system, how to make it run with ZXLR-8 or Q-Save.
fraction of the cost. 'Updates* shows you how to add new search and file

The QL is based on the Motorola 68008 32-bit management capabilities all designed to make 2X
processor, with an 8-bit communications bus. It PRO/FILE the most powerful and uniquely personal
runs Sinclair's proprietary QDOS operating system file manager you can get for your computer,

and Superbasic, an enhanced version of Sinclair Subscriptions to ZX PRO/FILE are $9. 95/year from
BASIC. It has advanced multitasking abilities and Thomas B. Woods, P.0. Box 64, Jefferson, NH 03583.
can process up to 20 programs at once. It comes (603) 586-7734.
with a word processor, spreadsheet, data-base

manager, and graphics software. ITEM! We've heard a rumor that Mr. Woods is

The reception by the business and computer press developing a version of PRO/FILE for the TS 2068

has been reserved, but Derek Stubbs of TS User and Spectrum,

newsletter got a chance to examine the machine and

he says it's better than Apple's Macintosh. ITEM: ZX PRO/FILE is now available in EPROM form

from Rompak, Suite 100, 8206 Blackburn Ave., Los

ITEM: We just got the TS 1000 version of the ‘1983 Angeles CA 90048.

Tax Return Helper* from K-Soft. We didn't have
time for a full review, but we did try it. It works
really well (a little slow, though), and it can
take a lot of work out doing your taxes. 014 (018
for the TS 2068 version) from K-Soft, 845 Wellner
Rd. , Naperville, IL 60540. Add 01.50 shipping.

ITEM: Timex Sinclair User recently was taken over
by a new company who has promised to restart the
magazine with the April issue which will be
available in late March.

ITEM: Karl Klotz of Christian Software contacted us
recently about forming an association of Christian
programmers. Some possibilities for the group are
church and missions support, data banks,
development of Christian software, religious
instruction, etc. The association may or may not be
specifically for Timex-Sinclair users. We at T-S
Horizons would eagerly support such a group. It is
only in the ‘idea* stage at this point. If
interested contact T-S Horizons or Karl Klot2, Box
547, Rte. 590N, Bettsville, OH 44815.

ITEM: PRQ/F1LE Updates is a quarterly newsletter
that further enhances ZX PRO/FILE, the file manager

ANALYSIS

16K RAM, 8K ROM TS-1000/ZX-81/TS-1500/
TS-2068. Stock selection guidance.

Fundamental stock analysis. One-time
input using data in newspapers or
library. Make sound BUY/HOLD/SELL
decisions. Uses Linear Regression
techniques to forecast expected
earnings and corresponding market
price data.

Send $17.99 plus $1. postage and
handling for each tape and tutorial
ordered.

PORTFOLIO

16K RAM, 8K ROM TS- 1 000/ ZX-8 1 /TS- 1 500/
TS-2068. Investment portfolio file
management. Maintain records of shares,
cost, performance and selling-price-
targets of up to 50 stocks, bonds,
mutual funds. Menu driven. List file,
records; record maintenance or file
update options. Save data across pro¬
gram SAVES/LOADS. Input current market
prices & program recalculates overall
portfolio and individual security
performance as well.

Send $15.99 plus $1. postage and
handling for each tape and tutorial
ordered.

ORION'S BELT ENTERPRISES
807 N. Fairway Rd., Glenside, PA 19038
(PA RESIDENTS add 6% sales tax)

Please specify computer model.

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8088 Hifhwood Way
OrangcvaW, CA 95682
(916? 7224895

Satisfaction Guaranteed
or Money Back

1983 TAX
RETURN HELPER

Fast and easy
income tax preparation.

• Form 1040 and Schedules A.B.C.D.E

• Enter and modify data on a screen copy of the
form.

Works like a spreadsheet • all the lines
affected by a change are instantly updated

• Form 1040 and Schedule A are automatically
corelated.

Price is tax deductible.

Cassette: TIMEX 1000 (16K RAM) $14

TIMEX 2068 $18

Repeat customers $5 discount
(Add $1 50 S & H). Check. MO or credit card.

KSOFT CO.

845 WELLNER RD
“ NAPERVILLE, IL 60540
(312)961-1250

Dealer inquiries welcome

f MUTT U TS IIFTWAIE
BLACKJACK (The game of 21) (16K)

Enjoy this exciting game! Up to 6 players may
play. All hands simultaneously displayed. Las
Vegas rules apply, with computer holding all
bets! Allows splitting pairs, doubling down b
insurance. Great for testing your strategy.

HBBSiMILI BBSKKIIKB (Menu driven) (1 6K)
Provides quarterly graphic display of your bill
status, with bills due search by desired date.
Summaries of expenses paid, averages, b
expense as % of income. Printer option

CAliRBAI PLASREI (Menu driven) (16K)
Scratchpad calendar. Up to 200 personal
events may be filed. Add or delete anytime.
Files stay in order of date! 12 search modes
display appointments, auto mant.. Honey
Do's, jobs, etc. Also allows viewing desired
week, month, or year.

$9.96 each includes postage (Ca. res. add
Sales Tax)

★ Far Fret Brstlsra Ssa* SMI *

I MX EITIIPBIKS
Btx 4IB8

Laaeitltr.Ca.mM

259-5450 SCIOTO SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, INC. 778-2748
N. Rosier tain 102 discount software/books) T. Bostick
Tiaex-Sindair 1500/1000 carry case 118
T-S 1500 *70 T-S 2068 *160 T-S thersal printer *89
Books!!! aachine code, gases, BASIC, hose & business
CARRY HOME 3 ROLL PAR 240 ft. printer paper *5
Prices include shipping-Ohioans add 5.52 sales tax
■Everything for your cosputing needs"
*m*mm*»mH**ttH***Hmm*»*H**mmH**H

CAI P-4B PRINTER FOR SALE

Clean & as-good-as-new, with “is ini' interface. I
need cash, not a printer. Two new rolls of paper
plus unfinished first roll! Manual & original
packaging. Only *75. Must sell. Money order or
cashier check only. Hooey Cowles, 315 S. Sandusky
St., Delaware, OH 43615. (614)369-4281.

\bu have the computer
\bu ve read the manual

^^needsomethingjnwe

You need programs
that run on your
Timex/Sinclair
computer.

They have the same
capabilities as bigger
machines — budget -
ing, games, inventory’
management. But they can’t
help you without software, and
not all the software on the mar¬
ket will work on your T/S com¬
puter.

The solution is finding a way
to translate BASIC programs —
Converting to Timex /Sinclair
BASIC .

for other com¬
puters for use with
the T/S 1000 or 1500.
Most of this book also
applies to the T/S 2068.
Ail the directions you
need are here.
Included are graphics,
strings, system commands,
matrices, advanced logic, and
more. A description is given of
each Sinclair BASIC replacement,
along with details of how it works
and an example of its use. $14.95

Also available at your local bookstore. Dealer in¬
quiries invited.

The Clew Choke la

This book is a guide to modifying
programs written

COMPUTER

BOOKS

WAYNE GMIN BOOKS

To order

To order, call toll-free
1-800-258-5473 for credit card
orders. Or mail your order
with check or money order or

complete credit card informa¬

tion to: Wayne Green Books,
Retail Sales, Peterborough,

NH 03458. Please include
$1.50 for the first book, $1.00

for each additional book for

shipping and handling.
Converting to Stuart L. Bird
Timex/Sinclair ISBN 0-88006-06S-8
RA«r RIOftOA 910

Hiiiiia

1 Card#

Expiration date

| Name

l . .

Signature

| Address

| City

State Zip

Wayne Green Books, Peterborough, NH 0S458

THE EXPANSION PACKAGE

by Minny Electronics

Introducing the ZX-GR. The “R” In ZX-GR
stands for 64K Ram (56K usable), fully useful for
all your programs — fully compatible with all
your peripherals. Also, one of the few memories
that is compatible with the TS-1500.

The “G” stands for Graphics Unit, the Hi Res.
kind (255 x 192). The Graphics Unit is unique in
that it does not tie up the memory map, once
again compatability is preserved and more mem¬
ory map is left for other peripherals.

Graphics units are only as good as the soft¬
ware that operates them, as some of you know.
Our software package is fast, the draw circle
command takes one second or less, draw line or
rectangle even quicker. Do you like games? We
have Sprites 32 x 32 Pixel Frames, 5 graphics
pages, plus the ability to do foreground-back-
ground screens. In addition it can merge pages. If
you’re not into games it is also great for engineer¬
ing modeling. Ease of use is its trump suit.

What is more you can save your graphics to
cassette and load them back at a later time and
the 2040 will hard copy any of the 5 screens.

You have your choice of two modes of opera¬
tion: Etch-a-sketch or Manual Mode and Program
Mode with 18 basic commands. Manual Mode
can be used to draw screens and sprites manual¬
ly with 8 axis control from the keyboard. Once
again very responsive, in fact our extended soft¬
ware package has a magnify mode, in which the
cursor is slowed down for more meticulous draw¬
ing. Program mode provides for the use of the fol¬
lowing software commands from within basic
statements: Plot, Unplot, Draw Line, Draw Rec¬
tangle, Draw Circle, Draw ULine, Draw HLine, Se¬
lect Pages, Text, Store Sprites, Call Sprites, Start,
Clear, and Fill.

By now you’re probably asking, how much for
all this capability? Well, let us look at the compe¬
tition. Today, a 64K Ram can go for as much as
$150 and the Graphics Unit goes for about $80;
that’s $230 for a unit without any software and
can interfere with other peripherals.

Our unit sells for $149.95 + $5.95 for shipping,
handling and insurance. Minnesota residents:
Add 6 percent sales tax. Send check or money
order to: Minny Electronic Inc. 7332 Douglas Dr.,
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. Tel. 612-566-2112.

Other products available:

Extended Graphics Package $29.95

ZX-GR Kit Minus Ram Chips *Call*

Manual for ZX-GR $2.00

Cross Assembler/6502 MP $29.95

*A Cross Assembler assembles machine code
for a different microprocessor (the 6502 used in
the KIM, VIC, SIM, COM. 64, APPLE, II, II + , HE,
and the PET) than the host processor (Z-80A)
TS-1000, -1500.

Note: This product is also sold by E. Arthur Brown
Co. as the “MMRY-RES.”

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